Palaszczuk opens up on her enduring belief in Gabba rebuild

Former Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has revealed she still believes in the plan she put forward to demolish and rebuild the Gabba for the 2032 Games, as her former colleagues press on with other ideas.

The comments from the 12-year Labor leader came in her first sit-down TV interview since quitting politics in December and re-emerging in a more muted public role last month as an ambassador for the renewable energy sector.

Here are the key takeaways from her interview with Nine News, some of which did not make it to air.

On the Gabba and 2032 Games

While declining to offer an opinion on whether she found the indecision around stadium choices disturbing, Palaszczuk had this to say on whether it stung to see Labor walking away from the multibillion-dollar Gabba rebuild plan she championed.

“I put forward a plan, and I still believe in that plan. But it’s now in other people’s hands.

“I am just absolutely thrilled that we are going to have an Olympics here that all of Queensland – and all of Australia – are going to be proud of.”

On the nuclear debate

Recently announced as an international ambassador for the Smart Energy Council – the country’s peak renewable energy industry group – Palaszczuk was adamant that solar, wind, batteries, hydro and hydrogen remain the future.

“Nuclear is not the answer. The nuclear policy put forward [by federal Coalition leader Peter Dutton] is uncosted, there are no details. It is going to be more expensive,” she said.

“And we have a plan, the Australian government has a plan, and we need to stick to that plan.”

On the looming state election

Palaszczuk would not, however, be drawn into the state politics of the matter when asked whether LNP leader David Crisafulli needed to make his position on nuclear clearer amid pressure even from his own party.

“I’m not going to comment on state politics, I’ll leave that to Steven Miles and David Crisafulli to fight that battle,” she said, before being asked about Labor’s chances after her departure.

“Look, anything can happen in an election campaign.”

On her legacy

Palaszczuk was asked whether it hurt to see Labor reframe Miles and the state government as “new”, with Treasurer Cameron Dick saying the election should not be a “referendum on the last nine years”.

“Not really because, you know, I understand that there’s an election coming and they’ll say certain things, but I’m focused on my new role. And they need to be focused on the people of this state, which I was absolutely devoted to for nearly nine years,” she said.

“I’ll stand by my legacy, and others will judge them on theirs.”